Board of Health

PRESENT: Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Alison Keegan, Board Member William Galvin, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Lisa Golden, HHS Director Cesar Pungirum, Tobacco Control Program Director Jimmy Le, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector The August 2, 2023 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:02PM by Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan. 8/2/2023 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. For Acceptance: Minutes of the May 10, 2023 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health Motion: To accept the minutes of the May 10, 2023 meeting of the Lowell Board of Health made by William Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.II. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports And Notifications Submitted By Jon Kelley. Mr. Jon Kelley, Pridestar EMS and Mr. Casey Rainville, LGH Paramedics were present. Mr. Kelley reviewed the Monthly Opioid Overdose report with the Board. The Board had no questions. Mr. Kelley reviewed the Quarterly Report with the Board and noted that he will be making a correction to the needle pick-up number on page 8 for the next report. Member Galvin questioned if there were enough trucks available to meet the required response times. Mr. Kelley indicated that there will be a new dedicated truck in the fleet soon; however, recruitment remains a problem as staffing is a nationwide problem. Mr. Kelley added that out of 21,000 responses in the first quarter only one needed a mutual aid response. Discussion regarding staffing occurred. The Board had no further questions. 1.III. Discussion: Ambulance Contract Discussion regarding the current ambulance contract occurred. Chairwoman Keegan informed the Board that there is ongoing discussions regarding replacing the current contract in order to remove the reimbursable portion of the contract. Mr. David Daly, President of Pridestar EMS, was present to address the Board. Mr. Daly noted that Pridestar would be adding 1 additional truck from 11AM-8PM Monday - Friday and provided the Board with a handout. Discussion regarding the proposed changes occurred. Chairwoman Keegan noted that the proposed document will be presented to the Board on the September Agenda for discussion on the proposed changes. The Board had no further questions at this time. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director Tobacco Control Program Director Cesar Pungirum reviewed the report the the Board and explained the "Sniff Test" with the Board. Discussion occurred regarding how and when this test would be used occurred. The Board had no further questions.  BOHM08022023 Page 2 1.V. For Review: Monthly Development Services Reports Submitted By Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector Jimmy Le Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Jimmy Le reviewed the reports with the Board while noting that the bi-annual inspection report is still unavailable as he still does not have the computer program he needs to access it since the cyber event. 1.V.i. Communication: A & R African Market & International Food, 558 Gorham St Lowell Sr. Inspector Le reviewed the circumstances of the previous closure with the Board and noted that he had to close the establishment for a second time due to continued non-compliance. The establishment has now been inspected by the Sanitary Code Inspectors, the Building Inspector, and the Fire Prevention office and has passed with food still currently not allowed. HHS Director Lisa Golden also addressed the Board regarding the inspection she attended in June. Owner Mr. Mansaray was present to speak to the Board. The Board reviewed the conditions of the establishment’s reopening with Mr. Mansaray inclusive of the fact that he cannot have food for sale present in the establishment. Mr. Le informed the Board that at this time he felt Mr. Mansaray could start to sell premade factory sealed foods and he would reinspect in a few months to determine if progression to more sales would be appropriate. Motion: To do a slow phase-in of retail and prepackaged foods, exclusive of cooked foods, made by Erin Gendron, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. 1.VI. Body Art Apprentice - Tattooing Motion: to approve the Body Art Apprentice license for Anthony Stanley, 51 Shattuck St., Pepperell Ma at Lowell Ink, Inc. made by Erin Gendron, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.VII. Body Art Practitioner License - Tattooing Motion: to approve the 2023 Body Art Practitioner License for Paul Bohl, 6 Eighth Ave Lowell at Blaqsheep Ink, made by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, seconded by Erin Gendron. All in favor. 1.VIII. Body Art Facility License - Microblading Motion: To approve the 2023 Body Art Establishment License for Microblading for Heaven's Beauty Corporation 1527 Middlesex St unit 4/5 pending receipt of the waste hauler’s information may by William Galvin, seconded by Kathleen Cullen-Lutter. All in favor. 1.IX. Body Art Practitioner License - Microblading Motion: To approve the 2023 Body Art Practitioners License for Microblading for Leticia C. Ribeiro dos Santos, 1939 Middlesex St #6 pending approval of the establishment license made by Erin Gendron, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. 1.X. Informational: Water Utility Annual CCRC And Report The Board accepted and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. COVID Updates and Reports The Board reviewed the current BioBot Analytics report dated July 25, 2023. Discussion on the information occurred. 2.II. For Review: Cashins & Associates Air Quality Report The Board reviewed the Cashins & Associates routine Air Quality report included in the packet. The Board noted that there have been minimal people in the building due to the summer vacation.  BOHM08022023 Page 3 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports and Updates HHS Director Lisa Golden reviewed the open positions currently in the Health Department, notably 2 Clinic based Public Health Nurses and 3 School based Public Health Nurses as well as a posting for Substitute School Nurses for the upcoming school year. 4. MOTION: TO ADJOURN Motion: To Adjourn the August 2, 2023 meeting of the Board of Health at 7:43 PM made by Wiliam Galvin, seconded by Alison Keegan. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LOWELL BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 IN THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION ROOM, CITY HALL 2ND FLOOR.